Bike Check – Ibis Mojo HD

21/02/2016

I picked up an Ibis Mojo HD in 2013 after test-riding a Mojo SL-R that was a size too small, and set up for somebody 30 pounds lighter than I was. Sitting on the SL-R, I hit 50% sag and managed to clip a pedal on the ground when I stood up to sprint. On the same day and on the same trails, I also tried some sort of Santa Cruz carbon uber-bike, whatever top-end Trek offering was there, and a $6k Giant. I got maybe 500m from the parking lot on the Ibis, and the only thought in my head was “I LOVE THIS BIKE”. I had already been on the Santa Cruz, and took out the Trek and Giant after the Ibis. Compared to the Ibis, the other bikes were just not doing it for me.

Two months later, I had a black HD sitting in my basement. However good the SL-R was, the HD is even better for how I like to ride. Someday I will replace it [likely with another Ibis], but for now it’s my go-to ride for everything from quick loops to all-day epics. I have mine set up more aggro than it needs to be for most of the riding I do, but that just means I can’t blame the bike for my own failings.

Future Plans

The Wolf Tooth 42 cog is showing some wear, and will likely have to be replaced sometime this year. I am kinda leaning toward XT 11-speed – under $400 for 11-42 11-46 cassette, chain, shifter, rear derailleur and one of those new-fangled oval chainrings. Compared to $100 for just the rear cog, that’s not bad at all.

Update: With Shimano announcing the 11-46 cassette option, I am definitely leaning that direction. With a 32T chainring, the low gear will be almost identical to the existing setup, even a hair easier.